Growing Lettuce and Beets

by Diane
(Barstow, CA)

I planted lettuce and beets for the first time.

Lettuce: I misplaced the lettuce package. The lettuce started out in a ball shape. But before they got big and round they started growing a stock with lettuce leaves. It tastes good but what kind do I have? I planted the lettuce about the end of March first of April. Live in the high desert in So. California. Why is it growing so tall?.

Beets: I planted beets at the same time as the lettuce. The leaves are about 7-8 inches now. How can I tell if the beets are a good size and ready to pick?

Thank you for your help.

I also want to try asparagus; when can I plant them and where do I get seeds? I could not find them.

I am a first time gardener.

ANSWER:

It sounds like your lettuce "bolted"; which means that it grows tall and forms a seed-head. It was probably a type of leaf lettuce such as romaine or red leaf. All types of lettuce are easier to grow in cool weather. Hot weather makes them want to bolt, and produce seeds. It is best to harvest leaf-lettuce right away when they are still in the leaf stage. Also grow them in cool weather when you can, and/or provide some shade for the plants when it is hot.

Beets take between 40 to 60 days to reach maturity. You want to dig or pull them when they are small and tender. You can pull one beet every now and then to check their progress when you think they are almost ready.

If your local garden center doesn't have asparagus seeds, you can find them online. I buy some of my seeds online from Territorial Seed Company here in Oregon. Their web address is www.territorialseed.com. They have a huge selection of seeds, and are an old and established seed company.